Dominique Thread!

[BlueBirdChick]

Okay I have two American Dominique's hatching now how do I tell the difference between a pullet and a cockrel??? First time having this kind of breed. can you tell by the feathers. I cant get into any sites right now because of how my computer is acting. thankyou

 

[Gallusfarm]

Quote:
This should help: http://www.dominiquechicken.com/Sexing_Dominique_chicks.html

or you can post pics after they are in the brooder. Congrats on your babies!

 

[centrarchid]

I have been looking at chicks from multiple sources. Some sources have chicks that are easy to sex based on some combination of down and leg coloration, others not. Another difference that may help but requires looking at many individuals is apparent leg / foot size. Males seem to have slightly larger feet at hatch. Appears evident in photograph above. They certainly will within a couple weeks later with disparity increasing into adulthood.

 

[BlueBirdChick]

Ill have to get a better picture of its feet

 

[BlueBirdChick]

okay its feet are normal size and have some black on them...

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[centrarchid]

Quote:
To me, feet, reguardless of gender, are normal sized. If you have only two males or two females, size comparison will not work. It is a relative thing.

You will need to provide a better photograph. More light. Looks like you are having the same sort of fun I have trying to image bitties. Lots.

 

[mprivett]

My little Dominique trio was cooped up over the Holidays with a chicken sitter. They were SO happy to get out of their run that they explored some new territory (meaning they pranced around on the back patio railing)

 

[centrarchid]

Hey All,

Could you relate to those interested your dominique flock size (number of birds), what they are used for (meat, eggs, show, pest control, etc.), your source of new birds to replace harvest / loss (hatchery, you hatch with incubator, you hen raise, acquire from another non-commercial hatchery source). Also are do keep your flock in a free ranging setting, confined to coops or runs or some combination. I would like to very much see some interaction between interested parties that addresses issues pertaining to use of American dominiques as a low maintenance producer of meat, eggs and fiber (feathers) in a manner consistent with what gave rise to breed in first place.

 

[centrarchid]

To start,

1) I keep approximately 75 breeders repressenting four lines and my flock size expands to about about 200 birds during growing season.

2) Used for meat, eggs and show.

3) Initial source from multiple hatcheries, breeders for show, and production flocks. Subsequent replacemnt from a combination of my incubator hatches and hen raising.

4) My brood stock is cooped and production stock is free-range starting 3 weeks post-hatch.

 

[NYREDS]

For those of you who subscribe to Poultry Press there's a picture of one of my pullets on page 50 of this month's Press.